Improvement in covers for cups



H. H. c. ARNOLD.

cbvERs FOR curs. 110 1875799.

Patented. Feb. 27,1877.

INVENTOR MPETERS, FHOTQYLITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, 0.0.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HUDSON H. C. ARNOLD, OF HOWARD, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN covE Rs FOR CUPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 187,799, dated February 27,1877; application file January 20, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HUDSON H. 0. AR- NOLD, of Howard, in the county of Knox and State of Ohio, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in (lover for Cups; and I do hereby declarethat the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction anal operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure l of the drawings is a representation of perspective view of my cup-cover, and Fig. 2 is an under view of the same. Fig. 3 is a side view thereof, part sectional.

The object of this invention is to provide tea-cups, cofi'ee-cups, and the like, with a cover, which serves as a -.fiy-guard and moustache-guard, and which may be conveniently slid backward, so as to uncover only a small space near the rim, or raised entirely to allow the use of a spoon. This object is accomplished by the employment of the following devices, constructed, combined, arranged, and operating substantially as hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, A designates a cup, which is suitable for use with tea, coffee, or other beverages, and which may be constructed of china, porcelain. or any other proper material. Its shape and ornamentation may also vary to suit the taste of the manufacturer or purchaser or it may be made quite plain, as shown.

B designates a cover for said cup. which serves to keep out flies and other insects. Said cover may be of sheet metal, wire, or any other suitable material, perforated or imperforated, ornamented or unornamented. Said cover is riveted or otherwise firmly attached to a tongue, 0, of an angular bar, 0, which is provided at its other end with'a thumb-piece, O. Said angular bar is pivoted at its angle between lugs or brackets 01- d formed on the upper end of a small lever, D. Said lever D is pivoted between lugs or blocks 6 e on the back of attaching-plate E,

. which is hung, by hooks E E, to the rim of cup A.

In the rear side of plate E, between lugs e e, is formed a small recess or depression,

6, and on the opposite or inner face of lever D is formed a corresponding recess or depression, d. In said recesses d and 0 set the ends of a small helical expansion-spring,

F, which operates to force outward the lower,

When it is desired to drink out of said cup,

the same is grasped, as shown in Fig. 1, so that the lower end of said lever D is forced inward by the pressure of the fingers, and cover B is caused to slide backward, so as to leave an open space, a,'near part of the rim of the cup, through which space the tea or other beverage flows readily into the month, while cover A not only excludes insects, but also serves as a moustache-guard.

As soon as the mouth is withdrawn, the grasp upon said lower end D is thereby loosened, and the action of spring F forces said coverB back into its former position.

When it is desired to uncover the whole cup, in order to use a spoon, or for any other purpose, the thumb-piece G is pressed upon, causing cover B and angular arm 0 to turn upon their hinge, assuming the position shown in Fig. 3.

The above-described cover B, angular bar G, lever D, attaching-plate E, and spring F may be readily attached to, or removed 2. The combination of cover B, lever D, at-

taching-plate E, and spring F, substantially as set forth.

The combination of cover B, hinged angular bar 0, thumb-piece O, lever D, attaching-plate E, and spring F, substantially as and for the purposeset forth.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

HUDSON H. G. ARNOLD.

Witnesses:

SYLvEsrEB. WELKEB, JOHN GoNKEL. 

